MBB: Maine leads from start finish in win over Albany

ORONO - Mike Allison (Lynden, Ontario) had nine points, 12 rebounds and four blocks to lead the University of Maine men's basketball team to a 66-52 win over Albany on Saturday afternoon at Alfond Arena. Maine improves to 9-15 overall and 4-7 in America East play while Albany falls to 18-8 and 7-5 in league play.

Maine expanded the lead to 35-20 two minutes into the second half, but the Great Danes cut the lead to 38-32 with 13:36 left and the lead was still just six points at 42-36 with 10:20 left.

The Black Bears responded, however, with a 13-to-6 run courtesy of six points from Edwards that included a two-handed dunk, to make it 55-42 with 3:18 left in the contest.

Albany could not get closer than nine the rest of the way as the Black Bears went 6-8 from the line in the last two minutes to seal the win.

Maine fell behind early in the contest, 5-4, before going on a 22-to-6 run courtesy of six points apiece from McAllian and Pollard giving the Black Bears a 26-11 lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the first half. Valjarevic swished a three-pointer with 30 seconds left that gave Maine a comfortable halftime advantage.

Maine shot 41.5 percent from the field while holding Albany to 35.1 percent. Maine was 7-19 from three-point range while holding Albany to 4-14. Albany had an edge in rebounding, 42-33.

Edwards finished with 16 points and four steals while Fraser added 11 points and five rebounds. Valjarevic had 13 points and McAllian had 10 points and two steals. Allison was named Maine's America East Player of the Game.

Sam Rowley had 19 points, 15 rebounds and four steals to be named Albany's Player of the Game.

Maine continues play on Wednesday when the Black Bears host Hartford at 7:30 p.m.